“We have lodged a complaint to the Premier League match delegate with regards to inappropriate language used by the referee and directed at two of our players in two separate incidents in today’s match. The match delegate will pass the complaint to the FA.” – Chelsea club spokesman.

Welcome to English football’s new race row and this time it comes with a remarkable twist after Chelsea accused referee Mark Clattenburg of abusing their defensive midfielder John Obi Mikel.

As if Mark Clattenburg’s poor decision making in the Premier League match wasn’t enough, now Chelsea have alleged that the official made two racist insults during Manchester United’s win at Stamford Bridge.

One centres round the claim that Clattenburg called one of Chelsea’s players “a Spanish twat” – the three candidates for this are Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Cesar Azpilicueta.

Whilst the main claim, at least in terms of likely media focus in the “ref race row,” looks set to surround a verbal spat between Jon Obi Mikel and Mark Clattenburg after Manchester United’s third goal against Chelsea.

As can be seen on the video below, the Nigerian midfielder remonstrates as soon as Hernandez turns the ball in and then following the celebrations is engaged in a long discussion with Clattenburg, to where he is eventually booked.

Hernandez’s goal and John Obi Mikel’s reaction as well as his discussion with Clattenburg can be seen on the video below, right at the very end. It may though, take all of Sky’s 20 camera angles to fully prove this one for either party.

If it hasn’t already and if it is even possible, this new race row looks set to be even more convoluted and messy than both Luis Suarez-Patrice Evra and John Terry-Anton Ferdinand.